Shorter School Year OK'd By LAUSD Board, Teachers' Union

LAUSD teachers will be taking several unpaid furlough days over the next couple of years as part of a plan approved by the Board of Education and United Teachers Los Angeles, according to the Daily Breeze. The five furlough days this year, and seven next year--which includes two days off for students--is expected to be part of cost-saving measures implemented in hopes of eradicating the need to layoff over 2,000 teachers. Yesterday the Board voted to rescind 1,421 pink slips already sent out, and are expected to rescind another 600 later. "The furlough days and shortened school year are expected to save $147 million."